September 18, 1969

Jarry Park - Tom Seaver had not lost a game since August 5th. Since then, Seaver had won seven of his last eight starts getting a no decision in an extra inning game the Mets lost. Most impressively, Seaver's last five victories were all complete game efforts. Tom just kept getting stronger with each outing.

This start was no exception. Seaver manhandled the Expos lineup striking out 9, walking 3, allowing just 5 hits and more importantly, no runs. Another complete game, Seaver's sixth in a row, was the ace's 23rd of the season. Seaver's counterpart, Bill Stoneman, did not pitch bad either. He allowed single runs in the first and sixth inning taking the loss 2-0. Ed Kranepool accounted for the Mets offense driving in the first run of the game with a single and then homering in the sixth inning. The win was the Mets 13th of the last 14 games.

Record 91-58, first place 5 games ahead of the Cubs. Chicago lost at Wrigley Field to the Philadelphia Phillies on this date. The Mets win and the Cubs loss reduced the Mets magic number to 8 games. Any combination of Mets wins plus Cubs losses totaling 8 would give the Mets their first championship in history. The Mets would now head home for their final home stand of 1969.